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“She promised.”

“And being alone?” Renzo asked.

“She promised not to go out of her home or Gathered alone.”

“Good.” Renzo nodded.

We stood there for a moment.

"You've chosen well," Ford said to me. Not the teasing version. The straight version.

"I know that." I said it without hesitation, because I did.

Renzo crossed his arms and looked out toward the street. "She's smart. She doesn't rattle. And she lets you be yourself, which is not a small thing."

I thought about Zoe sitting on my couch with her shoes off, asking me what was actually wrong and waiting for a real answer. The way she'd said lean like it was a simple thing, like it was just physics.

"No," I agreed. "It's not a small thing."

I had no reason to drive past Gathered on my way to pick up James.

Carrie Lancaster lived north of town. Gathered was south. The direct route didn't come within four blocks of it.

I drove past anyway.

The shop was dark. The sign was flipped to CLOSED and the window display caught the last of the afternoon light, that pressed wildflower print from Miss Laughton that Zoe had rearranged last week catching a warm amber glow. The street in front was empty.

Good.

I didn't examine the relief that settled in my chest. I just took note of it and kept driving.

The Lancaster household was, as always, controlled chaos with a cheerful soundtrack. Carrie met me at the door with Cleo on her hip and what appeared to be a marker drawing on her left forearm. It looked like a cupid tattoo, if you squinted hard enough.

"He's in the kitchen," she said. "Austin's been teaching him a card game with completely made-up rules and they've both been winning, somehow. Coffee?"

"I'm good." I followed her through the living room, stepping over a backpack and around a stack of library books. "Thank you for this. Again."

"Adam." She gave me the look that only older sisters can give. "James is always welcome here. Go get your kid."

James was at the kitchen table across from Austin, a deck of cards between them, both boys looking quite serious.

James looked up. His face quickly brightened, and I felt that gut punch I always felt. Love.

"Dad." He held up his hand of cards. "I'm winning."

"Austin," I said, "are you letting him win?"

Austin, who was older by a few years, looked caught and said, "We're using different rules."

"Uh-huh."

“I’ve gotta go. Thanks for teaching me. I’m going to show Miss Zoe when she comes over next time.” James waved to Austin. I got him into his jacket, and James took approximately one hour to say goodbye to Carrie and the rest of the kids before I could get him out of the house.

The drive home was quiet for about fifteen seconds.

"Dad."

"Yeah, bud."